Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $58,150 -16.4% vs national
Median hourly —
10th percentile $46,320
90th percentile $75,050
Employed locally 640
National median $69,590

Compare Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary & buying power

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Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,320
    25th
    $51,350
    50th (median)
    $58,150
    75th
    $70,230
    90th
    $75,050

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary vs area income 69% Median Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary is 31% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $108,790
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $103,800
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $103,150
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $102,250
    Modesto, CA $102,240
    California $101,250

    Nearby metros — Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    California $101,250
    District of Columbia $96,880
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $90,040
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $89,980
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $81,570
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $79,250

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary $33,280
    Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education $57,060
    Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $59,950
    Substitute Teachers, Short-Term $38,760
    Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education $30,230
    Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $59,180

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Special Education Teachers, Secondary School make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Des Moines, IA is —, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make — or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salaries?

    The median Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in Des Moines, IA is 16.4% below the national median of $69,590. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Special Education Teachers, Secondary School (10th percentile) earn around $46,320 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,350.